Virtues You'll Need in Mechanic School

You may think that you're going to breeze your way through auto mechanic training. Why? Because you're mechanically minded like your mother, and smart with computers like your father, both skills that are necessary in today's modern garages. But maybe there's something else that your parents fostered in you that will help ensure your success at mechanic school: your strong character. It is our characters, our virtues, that enable us to weather life's up and downs. Here are just some of the virtues that will stand you in good stead as you pursue your auto mechanic course.

Courage

Courage is what empowers us to apply to auto mechanic training in the first place. Courage is what gets us to show up in class on the first day. Courage is what carries us at exam time. So as daunting as it may be to learn the ins-and-outs of anti-lock braking systems, front suspensions and air conditioning systems, brave we must be. It can be especially humbling for someone who feels as though they know a lot about cars to realize just how many gaps there are in their knowledge...

Courage can also come into play at mechanic school when we decide to specialize in a particularly challenging aspect of the career. For instance, some students attend school with the bold intention of becoming a NASCAR race care technician.

Detachment

Mechanic school is pretty serious - with all those courses on drivability, fuel and ignition systems, diesel engines, etc. - but try not to get too wrapped up in it. There are other aspects of life. Remind yourself of them regularly! Take the occasional night off from studying for your auto mechanic course. Go to the movies. Pull out your old skateboard. Go bowling or hit the bars with some friends. Put down that climate control manual and let loose.

Patience

You may be eager to know everything there is to learn at mechanic school: electronic fundamentals, the art of preventative maintenance, systems and diagnostics. But slow down. It can take six months to two years to acquire a mechanics degree. You don't have to learn everything about all kinds of vehicles at once.

Compassion

In mechanic school, you will need compassion for people who have made mistakes. Sometimes the person who has made the mistake will be you. Sometimes it will be a classmate. Either way, show acceptance and caring.

Helpfulness

Does your teacher at mechanic school need some help cleaning up the facilities after a diagnostics demo? Is a fellow student struggling with to understand catalytic converters? Meet them over coffee for an informal tutoring session. Engaging with the people around you will only bring you more pleasure.

Courtesy

Remember to thank your teachers for all that they've taught you about transmissions, chassis, etc. Be polite to your fellow students. Good manners are basically about showing others that we respect them as human beings.

These are just some of the character traits that you will need to develop before you can succeed at auto mechanic training. Can you think of any others?